According to police, AFP reported, the rioters barricaded themselves in the Al-Aqsa mosque overnight with the aim of disrupting visits by Jews to the site ahead of the start of New Year celebrations on Sunday evening.

The Temple Mount is now open to Jews. Among the visitors on Sunday morning was Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, who often visits Judaism's holiest site on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.

Channel 10 reported that despite relative calm between authorities and Arab worshipers to the Al-Aqsa mosque in recent months, police received an advanced warning of riots planned ahead of the Jewish New Year.

Police forces were quickly deployed to the Temple Mount as well as throughout Jerusalem in preparation for potential Arab violence during the holiday.